Gavin Williamson’s Christmas cheer

It’s party season in Westminster and last night saw the Women’s Lobby drinks reception, Jeffrey Archer’s festive drinks – or, if you were lucky enough to receive the invitation, Gavin Williamson’s Christmas drinks. The newly-installed Defence Secretary invited a select group of MPs to the vaults of the Ministry of Defence, where he gave a reportedly inspirational speech – telling attendees that the time had come for him to listen to the needs of MPs rather than tell them how to act, as he had done in his previous incarnation as Chief Whip.

With the speech one that would not look out of sorts in a leadership campaign, MPs are beginning to ask what Williamson’s end game is. Still, if he is looking for leadership nominations, Mr S suspects he ought to consider widening the guest list the next time around. ‘I wasn’t f—ing invited,’ fumes one left-out MP.